ABS Unit and brake bleeding

**michael redmon** · 08-23-2016

I disconnected the master cylinder from the booster and the 2 lines going to the ABS unit. I also disconnected one of the brake lines off the ABS unit. Then it hit me.....When do you have to do the special bleeding procedure for the ABS unit? When I get my car back together can I just bleed it like I would any other car?

Thanks. I love Ohio and road salt!

**Scottydoggs** · 08-23-2016

you need to bleed the master. best to bolt it all back up, then fill the res then pump the brakes like you would for a caliper, but you crack the line nut off the master to let the air out. repeat till you hear no more air. then do the other line, then go about doing the brakes.

i wrap a rag around the line nut and wrench too, keeps the fluid from flying.

**Dacton1985** · 08-24-2016

Have someone else pump the brakes and hold them down while you open then close the line all the while them not letting go of the brake pedal.

**cheatah faheatah** · 08-24-2016

You can "bench bleed" your master in a vice. I have a kit I think came with a new master years ago, its 2 plastic threaded fittings that have a hose barb and a couple short pieces of clear plastic tube. You loop the tubes back up into the master under the fluid and watch until no more bubbles come out as you cycle the master with a punch or screwdriver or whatever.....

**michael redmon** · 08-24-2016

Thanks for the comments. I did what I never do and took the car to a shop 1/4 mile up the road. I got fleeced but it will be done today. 1 brake line...$300. I have replaced brake lines before (I still have my tube bender) but I just couldn't get under the car in that corner and was kinda of sick of screwing around with cars so I punted. Oh life would be so much easier with a lift.

The CV axle will be easy to redo compared to getting access to that damn brake line. While under the car I took a hard look at my cradle bolt bushings and they look good. I still don't know what my creaking is in the front end. That will be after the CV axle.

If anyone is ever in Columbus I will buy you a beer for the help.

**michael redmon** · 08-24-2016

Repeat after me "Never take your car to a chain repair shop" Say it again "Never take your car to a chain repair shop"

They attached the new line to the sway bar with a zip tie, never really bled the system, and forgot to repair 2 other lines they were going to repair. They also cross threaded the ABS unit. They pretty much suck. I ended calling the manager back and took it back for them to fix. What a joke. I knew better. Repeat after me "fix your own stuff", again "Fix your own stuff"

**cheatah faheatah** · 08-24-2016

Can you tell us which chain? Midas?

**Dacton1985** · 08-24-2016

Wow.....just wow! The only reason I ever take my vehicle to a shop is to get tires mounted and balanced and a front end alignment. If I knew someone that had a tire machine I would only go to get them balanced and alignment

**Dacton1985** · 08-24-2016

Also please spill the beans which company

**Scottydoggs** · 08-24-2016

damn. they took money for this work?

**SaukRapids** · 08-24-2016

Terrible.. just, ugh. Suck.

Sorry for your bad time.

**Dacton1985** · 08-24-2016

I would have gotten my money back and went somewhere else to get it fixed and then whatever the difference was for having to pay the new shop I would have charged the old ****ty shop. And if they wouldn't pay it would threaten them with a lawsuit. If I were you I definitely would not have let them even look at my vehicle

**Dacton1985** · 08-24-2016

Great picture by the way

**michael redmon** · 08-24-2016

https://m.facebook.com/NTBSUCK/

I knew better. Anytime I have paid someone do a repair for e I have been disappointed.

I really didn't want.them to do it again but I owe them the chance.to make it right.....let's hope they don't put something in my crankcase to pay me back....I never complain about my food at a restaurant for.that very reason. Luckily I have another car. I bet women and uneducated guys get ripped off left and right.

In 2012, just before I went to Afghanistan, I changed the oil, transmission fluid, brake pads, air filter, wipers on my wife's 2010 Kia van with 30k miles on it. The week after I left the 2.5 year old battery died and she got it towed to the dealership. $1500 later I had another oil change, transmission flush, new tires, new battery (the only thing needed), cabin air filter, etc, etc. So in the big scheme of things, this wasn't that bad.

Still pissed because I wanted to work on my axle instead screwing with brakes still.

Thanks guys

**Scottydoggs** · 08-24-2016

nice rep they got.

**Dacton1985** · 08-24-2016

As long as your cool about it and talk to the mechanic who did the work and who is about to do the work. Most places will fix their wrong.

**michael redmon** · 08-25-2016

Just picked up the car from ntb. They fixed the line, another 2 lines, and re bleed it. I still wasted good money paying someone but at least it is done so all is good.

**Dacton1985** · 08-25-2016

Good to hear you finally got it fixed properly as far as you can tell

**michael redmon** · 08-31-2016

So I bled the car today. Gravity bled it. I still have a spongy pedal that goes to the floor slowly (the car stops still). Brakes are hard with the motor off and the pedal stays hard. Start the car and it sinks to the floor. Any tips are appreciated.

Background:
-blew brake line.
-in effort to fix the line myself I took off the master cylinder and also unhooked one line from the ABS unit
-took it to a shop
-got it back, they said they bled it but it was spongy so I re-bleed it.
-I used some old brake fluid I had in my cabinet. It could have been 6 years old. Wouldn't think it would matter but maybe it does.

I am going to rebleed it and use the 2 man method.

Is there any chance my brakes are spongy because of me unhooking the line to the ABS unit?